Wales

Cemlyn and Llanrhwydrus circular walk

A wide-angle shot of a person walking along the shoreline at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey. The bay sweeps around in a curve, and the sea is gently lapping the shore. — A visitor walking at Cemlyn Bay | © National Trust Images/John Millar

A truly atmospheric three-mile walk, where you'll have the chance to see spiritual sites, rock formations and wildlife on the lagoon. If you time it right you'll catch the sun setting over the Irish Sea.

Near to

Cemlyn

Start point

Bryn Aber car park, grid ref: SH329936

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Duration2 hours

Dog friendly***

*Undulating trail along beach or coastal path. For further details, see section marked Terrain.
**Undulating terrain along the beach or coastal path with kissing gates and a country lane. For further details, see section marked Access.
***Dogs should be kept on a lead. For further details, see section marked Facilities.

Flooding

Please note that Bryn Aber car park is liable to flooding. Please check high tide times before your visit.

Address
Cemlyn, Anglesey
Directions via Google Maps
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 566 goes close by.
National Cycle Network
By bus
Amlwch to Holyhead route stops at Tregele (45-minute walk). See Traveline-Cymru.
Traveline-Cymru
By train
Station at Holyhead 12 miles (19km). See Traveline-Cymru.
Traveline-Cymru
By road
A5025 from Valley, follow sign to Cemlyn National Nature Reserve in Tregele (opposite Douglas Inn). On approach to Cemlyn NNR take second turning to the right then turn right again, after farm buildings, past Bryn Aber walled garden to the car park. Post code LL67 0DY.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Bryn Aber car park, grid ref: SH329936
Stage 1
From the car park, walk out past the monument towards the headland.
Stage 2
Turn left through the kissing gate and either follow the coastal path or walk along the beach.
Stage 3
Enjoy the wonderful sea views as you walk along the coast. If you have time, it's well worth making a short detour to Llanrhwydrus Church. This lovely little building is one of Anglesey's oldest spiritual sites and one of very few pre-reformation churches on the island.
Stage 4
When you reach the little bay of Henborth be sure to look for the Henborth drumlin, a rock formation that looks like a beached whale. Turn left through the kissing gate.
Stage 5
Walk on through the kissing gate towards Hen Felin (Old Mill) and cross the bridge. Turn left onto the lane and walk back towards Cemlyn Bay and the National Nature Reserve sheltered by the shingle ridge.
Stage 6
After you pass Fronddu, turn left up the lane. This takes you past the Cemlyn lagoon, established in the 1930s by Captain Vivian Hewitt of Bryn Aber.
Birdlife on the lagoon
Captain Vivian Hewitt was known as 'the modest millionaire'. His interest in birds led him to build the first dam and weir at Cemlyn, replacing tidal saltmarsh with a large and permanent lagoon which he intended as a refuge for wildfowl. Today, more than 1,000 terns nest on the islands in the lagoon during summer, while in winter it provides a sheltered haven for many varieties of waterfowl.
Stage 7
Follow the lane over the causeway and back to the car park.
End point
Bryn Aber car park, grid ref: SH329936
Trail map
Cemlyn and Llanrhwydrus circular walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Trail

Cemlyn shingle ridge walk

Discover a trail along the shingle ridge and watch a host of water birds on the lagoon at Cemlyn National Nature Reserve. This circular trail takes you across a causeway and along country lanes at Cemlyn Bay. It's perfect for walkers and wildlife spotters.